Page 30 of One More Song

“I’m proud of you,” I tell her. “For taking what you wanted.”

Millie grins. “Oh, please. It was no sacrifice on anyone’s part. Everyone got what they wanted that night.”

We leave the cafe, promising to catch up at the park the next afternoon. I give her a hug, grateful for her friendship. Walking home, I stop at the Pharmacy and make a purchase I haven’t even thought about in years. My cheeks are red when the young sales clerk rings in the box of condoms.

When I step inside my house, I pause at the doorway, watching as all four guys from Absinthe circle around one another. Music rushes over me, the piano is tuned, a guitar is being strummed, and the words from Asher’s lips hit me straight at the heart.

Her back’s against the brick wall, a graveyard straight ahead.

I could touch her here all night, but I need her in my bed.

My stomach twists and emotions rush through me. Ash is singing about us.

The guys see me, and they smile as I step inside, but Ash tightens his jaw. He must know what I’m thinking. That this is kind of fucked-up. And yet it does something to me. Gives me a false sense of hope. That maybe he feels more than just lust. That maybe he’s falling just a bit for me too.

I don’t know if I should run away or run into his arms.

Is it wrong that I want him to run his hands all over me? To let him consume me fully, like those stormy eyes have been threatening to do for the past week. To let myself open up and feel again.

Don’t make this more than it is, my brain warns.

“What do you think?” Saint asks.

“I think it’s a start,” I say, licking my lips. Making a choice.

Sex.That’s all it’ll be. And I’m okay with that. Because I don’t just want it. I need it. Need him.

Ash watches me, and when his eyes lock on me, I feel exposed, a blast of heat licking at my skin. “I guess you’ll have to see where it goes before you make any decisions.”

His words hold a double meaning.

“Yeah, I guess I will,” I say.

Synn laughs. “Tough cookie.”

“Eh, she’s a woman who knows what she likes, is all,” Dusky says, not having any idea how true his words are. I certainly have a type.

And it’s Asher Stone.

“Hey, I’m starved. Let’s take a break, meet back in an hour?” Saint suggests.

The guys split up, headed in different directions. I hear Synn and Dusky head outside through the backdoor, Saint is in the kitchen opening cupboards. I walk over to Ash.

“About the song—”

“It’s okay,” I tell him. I’d already forgotten about it. My head is only focused on one thing - my decision.

He reaches out, calloused fingers brushing my jaw, making me tremble. “You’re all flushed.”

“I...um...I got something for us.”

One dark brow raises. “For us?”

“Oh God,” I groan, not realizing how hard this would be. “This is awkward.” I hand him the bag, feeling my cheeks burn. “Here.”

He takes the small bag and pulls out the box of condoms. His expression is so hard to read, and he just stares at it for a moment, the muscle in his jaw twitching.

Shit, maybe I read this whole thing wrong.

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